The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-05

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well satisfied with the present status
Of the long and short haul arrange
ment, and were willing to stand upon
them. In fact, he feared q change
would be disastrous.
j.. A k'wHIRrKR,
manufacturer OF slaves and lumber at
Erin, Tenn, was the next business
expert. He stated that he had lad in
a large supply Of timber, in anticipa.
ton Of heavy future business. Lately
the prospects were rather gloomy on
account OF the interstate commerce
bill. For instance, the rate from that
point 10 Cleveland, o., was increased s
cents per 100 pounds. The principal
markets were found at Cleveland,
Pittsburg and other points north OF
the Ohio. This side of that stream
there was only . limited market.
Asked by Judge Cooley how he was
informed OF the nature and cause Of
the increase, he said freight agents
told him. That was all he knew
about it, only that he got full benefit
from the revised tariff.
wH. BUoUo,
also resident Of Erin, gave his occu-
patton as q merchant, manufacturer OF
lime and stoves. In the lime line he
had two plants, the products OF which
amounted to $4,000 barrels. These
we're shipped TO eleven different States,
mostly in the South. Principal COM
petition was encountered from points
on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
The railroads had always dealt fairly
with him, and competition at other
points secured the same advant age.
He could not stand advanced tariff
charges and survive. For instance, he
could not reach Memphis. This the
railroad company knew and stood by
them. He came armed with memo
rial, sworn to, from the merchants
and manufacturers, and handed II over
to the custodian of such doCumenta
COL. N. II. CLARK,
another witness from Clsrksyille, a ret
deposited a document with the com.
mission, and then enlightened them
about the population and leading
industry of that city-tobacco. The
product brought them something like
100000. All this came from the
country adjacent 10 Clarksville. The
railroad company did the square thing
by them and no complaints of unjust
discrimination had been heard. The
witness then went into an explanation
of the reduction of tariff rates since
the war and the causes which led
thereto. He appealed to the commits
sion to allow the business men of his
section to remain unfettered and make
the best arrangements possible with
the railroads. They had competing
lines over which they could ship, and
were, therefore, in no immediate jeop.
srdy from q grasping monopoly.
HID. M'HBNRr,
OF Hartford, KY, . lawyer by profess
sion, also small politician, but utter
ested In this case as pres dent Of two
coal fields, penetrated by the Ohesa-
peake and Ohio and Louisville and
Nashville railroads. Most OF the pro-
duct Of these coal fields goes to Louis
vile, closely followed by Memphis.
He also shipped TO number OF smaller
points. never shipped any coal to
Memphis till the railroads opened up
the market to me. / understand the
price stands today one-half Of that pre-
viously ruling here. Unless the rail-
roads upon which l depend for trans
porting the coal from my mines are al
lowed to make rates, will lose this
market, as well ne Louisville. The
completion of the Holly Springs road
to the Alabama coal fields will cut me
off entirely, unless the railroads
are left free to come to my
assistance Hon. Holmes Cummins
the examination, and asked
the witness il the railroads had done a
fair part in keeping the Kentucky coal
fields open to Memphis. He prompt
ly and emphaticslly answered yes.
The rates from his fields to Memphis
are 81 40 per ton, and he knew OF no
point from which higher rates are
charged in this direction. During the
summer, when business is at q stand
still, the company actually hRuls coal
for less than cost. Mr.. Cummins then
presented memorials from Beaver
Dam Station, Hartford and hcHenry,
eIding the names and asking witness
II he knew them. He replied that the
men who signed the memorials con-
the principal business portions
Of the communities named. At some
periods he shipped coal 10 Louisville
at less than the cost OF production.
When the situation improved, he and
the railroad companies made a reason
able profit. Witness stated that at
certain seasons Of the year he under.
stood the company transported coal
at a loss-40 cents per ton. Mr.. Cum
Minis elected the real facts OF the case,
and proved that even at this low price
there was profit OF at least 500 per
train. Competition came from the
Ohio river and the Louisville and
Nashville road. II he had lost under
this competition he would have quit
The business long ago.
}. W. MOORE,
a miner and dealer in coal in South
western Kentucky, on the Greensboro
and Louisville road, was next called.
He testified that he shipped coal to
and found 1t very strong
com peting point with other coal fields.
This, in fact, was 30 great that in
creased tariff rates by the railroads
would drive him ont OF business. This
also applied to Nashville.
T. ". COOK,
of Evansville, Ind, a brewer, was next
called. He presented 3 petition from
business men OF tina. city asking for a
OF the long and short haul
clause 30 far as the Louisville and
Nashville and other Southern roads
were concerned. He also made lew
remarks urging the granting OF the pc
tition. His establishment brewed
something like $4,000 barrels OF beer
per year. These were shipped mostly
to the South, and must be by rail. The
manufacturing interests Of Evansville
amounted to about 81, 000, 900 per year.
The fourth clause OF the bill under re-
view, II enforced, would prove disas-
trous.
GEORGE p. HEILhAN,
q manufacturer OF Evansville, was
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